A group of demonstrators burn garbage at Altamira square in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 12, 2014. / By Santi Donaire, Epa

by Peter Wilson, USA TODAY

by Peter Wilson, USA TODAY

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Marches to commemorate Youth Day turned deadly with at least two people being killed in the capital of Caracas amid clashes between supporters and opponents of President Nicolas Maduro.

Both sides blamed each other for the violence, which occurred shortly after marches by students supporting and opposing Maduro ended peacefully and without incident. The subsequent rioting was the worst since Maduro was inaugurated as president in April.

Maduro charged that his opponents were seeking to create conditions similar to a 2002 coup against then President Hugo Chavez.

"They are trying to create a dogfight, where Venezuelans fight against Venezuelans,'' Maduro said during a televised speech inaugurating a monument commemorating the Battle of La Victoria in the central city of the same name.

Maduro said he would do all in his power to restore peace and promised that there "would be no impunity" for those who violated the law.

He also promised to arrest anyone who demonstrated or participated in protests that took place without the proper permission from the authorities. Protestors burned at least five police cars in Caracas, and more than 30 people were detained during the subsequent rioting, Maduro said.

Attorney General Luisa Ortega promised to launch an investigation into the fighting, which she said had been captured on video tape.

Protests were reported throughout the country. Students opposed to Maduro have been demonstrating for the last week in the Andean cities of San Cristobal and Merida, calling for the government to respect their right to protest.

At least five people were reportedly shot in Merida during today's protests, El Universal reported. Protestors carried posters emblazoned with the words "No More Poverty."

Maduro is facing increased criticism for his handling of the country's economy and soaring violence.

Venezuela is facing growing shortages of food, medicine and spare parts as a result of foreign exchange controls. The country's economy may slip into recession this year, and inflation is expected to close the year at about 60%.

Maduro says that the country's economic woes are due to an economic war being waged against his socialist revolution by the country's right.

Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez told reporters that students were exercising their constitutional rights by protesting peacefully. He said government supporters had infiltrated the students' march and committed the violence to make it seem as if the students were responsible.